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“God no, I should think I’ve at least learned one lesson there. My new brother may come into the fold, but I’m keeping the girl far, far away from this world. Even if she is some sort of computer whiz that could be of great use to us, I don’t care. I still haven’t found Tasa, for fuck’s sake. Let me find my sister before I try screwing up another girl’s life.”
Her hand lay on top of mine, her worried eyes on me. “How are you feeling about this?”
I let out a breath. It was so damn good to talk to her like this. It felt right, lying beside her, with her curled up against me. Constantly feeling shackled by responsibilities, the only time I let my guard down was around Nina. She didn’t expect or ask anything of me. Her primary concern was to be by my side, to help me. With her, I could just…relax.
“It was a shock, for sure, but Sebastian looks so much like me there’s no doubt we’re related. Then Bunica confirmed it. She’s known them since they were children. I was worried about my mother, but she’s too understanding for her own good. Much like you.” My arms tucked her svelte body closer into my chest. “More than anything, it was liberating. I was trying to emulate something that didn’t exist. He was a fraud. I mean, not that I would’ve wanted my parents to divorce, but what kind of man has two families? Lying to one and torturing the other with the knowledge that they came in second best.”
“I can hardly believe it…”
“Oh, believe it. He might not have been a sadist like Nelu, but he definitely fell off his pedestal. Nicu is crushed. Luca is gleeful. Me? I’m resigned, but I also get to welcome a new brother into the family. And now I’m freed to do what’s best for me, the family be damned. Bunica was right that I was a fool to give you up,” I finished.
Her large chocolate eyes gazed at me. “But what about Nelu? Nothing’s changed. You can’t hand Stegan over to him.”
“No, I’m digging into his business. I’ll eventually discover something to hang over his head in exchange for releasing me,” I said confidently, because for once, I had hope. No, hope was a dangerous thing to have. I had more than hope, I had conviction. She was never going to get out of my grasp again. “The man’s dirty, through and through. Nicu agreed to take my place so the contract between the families will remain intact as long as Nelu accepts that I won’t become his son-in-law.” Foisting the youngest son on his was an insult but, after what I had planned for him, he’d be grateful for whatever he could get. Shame burned in my belly that I panicked and allowed my world to tear us apart. Even if I’d agreed at that moment, I should’ve kept fighting for us. Eyes boring into hers, I snarled, “Honestly, I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.”
Being Nina, she tried to comfort me. “You were doing what you thought was best. I always knew that. It was never a question of you not loving me.”
“Damn straight, it wasn’t. I blame myself, though,” I said harshly. “I could’ve lost you forever. If you weren’t the angel you are, willing to love me despite my idiocy, I could’ve lost you from sheer stupidity alone.” Just the thought of it made me want to claim her again, to prove that she was real. It dawned on me that this is how it would be: I’d always want more. If nothing else, these last few weeks showed that she was as essential as breathing.
I was reveling in digging up dirt on Nelu, and I hoped to be free of him soon. Thank fuck, the fates had smiled down on me. I didn’t care what she’d come here to do. Reprimand me, curse me out in front of my soldiers. What I knew was that the moment I set eyes on her again, it was game over.
“The guard stays,” I declared. “And you’re moving back in with me.”
A flush spread over her cheeks, and she slid her nose along my throat, cooing. “I love when you’re bossy.”
“Then you’re in for a treat. I plan to boss you all night long.”
I couldn’t wait until we were in my bed again. Tonight, I reminded myself. As soon as tonight, I’d have her where I wanted her. I could finally breathe fully again. My hand glided up her spine and grabbed hold of her tresses. Steadying her, I swooped in for a languid kiss.
Canting her head to the side, she asked, “Are you sure I should move in so soon. Is that a good idea when you don’t have the situation with Nelu resolved?”
“Nothing will keep me away from you, Nina. That’s fucking over with. I already told you, the instant you walked through that door, it was over. I’m not keeping us separated for Nelu’s benefit. Fuck him. You’re going to pack up and move back in with me tonight,” I ordered hoarsely. “We’re not sleeping another night apart.”
Her lips parted, and she bit down on the plump bottom one, hiding a tremble. Fuck, I was making her cry.
“That I ever made you doubt how much I care for you is a goddamn travesty,” I said, my voice guttural. I’d already put her through so much. I’d spend the rest of my days proving to her how precious she was.
Sniffing back her tears, she buried her face in the crook of my neck.
“And the jade choker goes back on, first thing,” I warned her gruffly, holding her by the nape. At least, until I got a ring on her finger.
